The spouse who is not living in the nursing home is allowed by MassHealth to keep some of the nursing home resident’s income through an income allowance known as the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA). The MMMNA has now been increased to $2,465.00 for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
If certain basic household expenses are more than 30% of the MMMNA, the at-home spouse is entitled to keep an extra amount of income, known as the Excess Shelter Amount (“ESA”). Between the MMMNA and the ESA, the community spouse can now be entitled to keep up to $3,715.50 of income. If even more income is needed, such as where the community spouse is living in an assisted living facility, the community spouse can request a fair hearing to show the need for more income.
MassHealth: Medicaid in Massachusetts 